Description
Trifolium arvense | Rabbits-foot Clover
Rabbits-foot Clover, also known as Rabbit Foot Clover, Hares-foot Clover, Stone Clover, Pussy Clover, or Oldfield Clover is an annual (or less often a biennial) in the Pea family that’s native to Europe and western Asia that has become widespread in the eastern and pacific areas of North America. Its common name, Rabbit Foot, is a direct reference to its flowers, which resemble a Rabbits paw.
A nitrogen-fixing plant, Rabbits-foot Clover can be used as a cover crop in low-nitrogen soils. Grows best in full sun to partial shade in sandy soils. Grows in sandy soils at the edge of fields, roadways, sand dunes, wastelands, vineyards and orchards.
The fuzzy pinkish-white fluffy flower heads are the easiest way to distinguish this plant from others. Soft to the touch, this makes a fun plant for kids to grow, too.
Trifolium arvense reseeds itself in favorable locations such as sandy, disturbed areas. Wind-blown seeds can quickly germinate, allowing the plant to form large colonies, like other clovers.
A variety of pollinators visit the flowers including honeybees, bumblebees, leaf-cutting bees, and Halictid bees. Small butterflies and skippers may visit the flowers to a lesser extent, too. Sheep and goats will graze the leaves.
Type: Annual or biennial
Sun exposure: Full sun to part shade
Mature height: 12-16 inches
Mature width: 12 inches
Hardiness zones: 3-10